IN an ideal world Dale Benkenstein will be a successful member of Durham's side for the remaining two years of his contract, then take over from head coach Geoff Cook.

Cook will then be 63 and will have held the reins for 24 years. He will not want to go and there might still be a role for a man who has given sterling service, but the game moves on and there is a danger of Durham treading water.

The team built under Benkenstein's captaincy landed the first silverware with the Friends Provident Trophy in 2007 then the first championship the following year. Even though he stood down they retained the title in 2009, but then came a gradual decline. Paul Collingwood's captaincy has arrested that, but he has to operate this season with a playing staff which has been trimmed but is still carrying a few who will play minor roles.

Benkenstein gives the impression he would be more ruthless than Cook, saying: "In South Africa if a player doesn't prove himself in 20 games he would be out.

"There could be quite a few changes here over the next few years, which is not a bad thing. Otherwise you just keep bumbling along with some people in the background.

"We don't want anyone in the background, we need people to stand up and start winning games."

Benkenstein, who will be 39 in June, passed his level three coaching during the winter and has been invited by the ECB to progress to the top level.

"That will be a two-year course starting in October," he said. "If you get to level four people know you are taking it seriously and want to be involved in coaching at the highest level.

"I will probably look to do some coaching in South Africa or Australia next winter. I haven't done much this winter because my wife, Jacqui, has been coaching the Durham University women's hockey team, so I've been at home with the kids."

The fact that Jacqui, a South African hockey international, is getting involved locally and the three children are settled is a good indication that the Benkenstein family are happy in Durham.

Dale was, however, glad to get away for a bit of warmth when he was asked to captain the MCC against champions Warwickshire in Abu Dhabi.

But his hopes of finding some form in the middle weren't helped by the experimental day-night format as he didn't last long in either innings.

"Both times I went in at 8pm, which is past my bedtime," he joked. "I enjoyed the concept, but there was a bit of dew in the evenings and wickets fell in clumps when it got dark, especially with the new ball.

"It adds another element to the game, but batsmen would be disappointed if they kept getting knocked over at night when others were making hundreds in daylight. The pink ball they are still trialling in that match offers really good visibility, but it's difficult walking in to bat under lights.

"We're short of outdoor practice, so you have to back the strategy and technique you have gained over the years.

"We're slightly down on real quality, but if people fulfil their potential we can beat anybody."

Benkenstein remains the one-day captain and says he is prepared to play all the four-day cricket as well, pointing out: "There's only Colly and me with much experience batting-wise. The gaps need to be filled and if the young players don't do it we will have to start looking elsewhere. This is a year of opportunity."

He remains the one-day captain and hopes to be able to make more use of Graham Onions this season, saying: "Sometimes bowlers need to be rested, but the best players tend to be the best in whatever format, so I'd like to see less difference between the four-day and one-day line-ups.

"But there should be opportunities for people like Ryan Pringle, who could make an impact because he hits the ball miles."

After play ended in the three-day match against Durham University on Sunday, Benkenstein was to be seen back out in the middle for more batting practice.

Such dedication has helped to make him the best signing Durham have made and the inspirational qualities he brought to the captaincy will surely by replicated as a coach.